Dental Water Lines
The quality of dental unit water is of considerable importance as both patients and staff are regularly exposed to water and aerosols generated from dental unit water-lines (DUWL).
These dental water lines are susceptible to biofilm which are known to harbour pathogens, including pseudomonas, legionella and mycobacteria
HTML-05 advises that bacterial growth is monitored via laboratories rather than dipslides.
A “standard” dental water line test includes laboratory analysis for:-
- Total Viable Count at 22°C & 37°C
- Pseudomonas
- E.Coli
- Coliforms
A “enhanced” dental water line test includes mycobacteria in addition to the tests above.
Legionella screening on DUWL is a separate test.
Advice on Taking the Sample
Purge the 3:1 air/water syringe waterline, instrument hose waterline, patient cup filler waterline (where present) and cuspidor rinse waterline (where present) outlets of the dental unit for 2 minutes before collecting water samples.